PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danny Zuckor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oupa Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Zuckor looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Zuckor
vs
Nieminen

195 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Danny Zuckor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Oupa Nieminen!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zuckor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zuckor tries to clinch up but Nieminen circles away and keeps his distance.
Nieminen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zuckor.

Zuckor darts in and clinches Nieminen up against the cage.

Nieminen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zuckor uses from the top position.
Nieminen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nieminen wants to sweep here but Zuckor controlling him for the moment.
Zuckor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nieminen on the ground.
Zuckor has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nieminen is proving hard to escape from.
Nieminen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nieminen has a closed guard, preventing Zuckor from standing up.
Zuckor has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nieminen lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Nieminen looking for a sweep. Not yet Nieminen, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zuckor wanted to stand there but Nieminen had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zuckor misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nieminen moves into the clinch.
Nieminen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Danny Zuckor has been cut.
Zuckor wants to break free but Nieminen has control.

Nieminen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Zuckor is breathing heavily.
Nieminen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nieminen stops Zuckor from getting back to his feet.
Nieminen trying to pass the guard but Zuckor defending well.
Nieminen frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
A nice elbow there by Nieminen.
Nieminen landing strikes from the mount and Zuckor is in trouble!
Nieminen breaks from Zuckor's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nieminen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuckor is in a horrible position here. Nieminen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nieminen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nieminen landing strikes from the mount.
The referee warns Zuckor that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nieminen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nieminen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
A nice elbow there by Nieminen.
Nieminen lands a heavy elbow.
Nieminen lands a big shot there that rocks Zuckor but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zuckor is trying to stand up.
Nieminen lands a nice shot to the head.
Zuckor really wants to buck Nieminen off and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Zuckor wants to get back to his feet.
Nieminen controlling from the full mount.
Zuckor wants to try and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nieminen controlling his opponent.
You get the feeling that Zuckor really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.
Zuckor wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nieminen working Zuckor over with strikes here.
Zuckor in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Zuckor trying desperately to get to his feet.
Zuckor trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Zuckor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zuckor tries to get out of the position.
Nieminen working Zuckor over with strikes here.
Zuckor trying desperately to get to his feet.
Nieminen controlling his opponent.
Nieminen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Nieminen controlling the pace for now.
Zuckor is trying to stand up.
Zuckor in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Zuckor is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oupa Nieminen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Danny Zuckor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nieminen throws a series of strikes that have Zuckor backpedaling.
Nieminen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nieminen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Nieminen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A jab from Nieminen misses.
Zuckor looks to clinch

and Nieminen moves into the clinch.
Nieminen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zuckor has had enough of the clinch but Nieminen keeps him there for the moment.
Nieminen is looking to control Zuckor's arms but Zuckor gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nieminen has his back to the cage.

Zuckor breaks the clinch.
Nieminen shoots in for a takedown but Zuckor shows good takedown defense.
Zuckor scores with a three punch combo!
Zuckor lands the left hand.
Nieminen throws a jab but it's blocked by Zuckor.
Zuckor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A choreographed right hand from Zuckor misses the target.
Zuckor misses with a few strikes there.
Zuckor connects with the punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zuckor scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nieminen doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Zuckor.
Zuckor wants to clinch.
Nieminen sizes up Zuckor with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zuckor tries to clinch up

and Nieminen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nieminen lands a shoulder strike.
Nieminen keeps control of Zuckor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Nieminen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zuckor ducks right into an uppercut from Nieminen.
Zuckor swings widly with a right hand

and Nieminen counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nieminen working the ground and pound.
Zuckor is pushing Nieminen's head away, looking to escape. Nieminen manages to hold on to the position though.
Zuckor is not content to let Nieminen control the position.
Zuckor is pushing Nieminen's head away, looking to escape. Nieminen manages to hold on to the position though.
Zuckor gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuckor is trying to stand.
Nieminen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
BOOM! Nieminen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Danny Zuckor's cut is getting worse.
Nieminen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nieminen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.
A nice elbow there by Nieminen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen dominating with strikes here.
Nieminen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nieminen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Nieminen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Nieminen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zuckor has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zuckor wants to get back to his feet.
Nieminen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zuckor can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Zuckor tries to buck Nieminen off but he can't manage it.
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.
Zuckor wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Nieminen working the ground and pound effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuckor wants to get back to his feet.
Nieminen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zuckor wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Nieminen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Oupa Nieminen just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters circling a little - Nieminen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nieminen jabs at Zuckor's body.
Zuckor falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nieminen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oupa Nieminen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Danny Zuckor's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nieminen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nieminen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nieminen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nieminen with the ground and pound from mount.
Nieminen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nieminen fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Nieminen controlling his opponent.
Nieminen punishing his opponent with strikes.
Nieminen lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zuckor hang on?

Danny Zuckor's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Nieminen controlling from mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuckor wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nieminen controlling from the full mount.
Nieminen breaks from Zuckor's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Zuckor is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Nieminen lands a big elbow.
The referee warns Zuckor that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Zuckor is squirming around, avoiding Nieminen's attempts to control the action.
Nieminen with the ground and pound from mount.
Zuckor squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Nieminen lands a heavy elbow.
Zuckor squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nieminen tries to control but Zuckor wriggling away.
Nieminen breaks from Zuckor's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Zuckor really wants to buck Nieminen off and get back to his feet.
Nieminen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nieminen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zuckor is looking to escape.
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Oupa Nieminen just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nieminen has Zuckor up against the cage in a clinch.
Nieminen lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nieminen.
Nieminen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nieminen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nieminen leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

Nieminen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zuckor regains guard immediately.
Nieminen controlling from the top position.
Oupa Nieminen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Nieminen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nieminen scores with a jab.
Zuckor swats away the attempt to clinch by Nieminen.
Oupa Nieminen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nieminen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Nieminen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Nieminen prevents Zuckor from getting back to his feet.
Nieminen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nieminen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zuckor wants to stand and escape but Nieminen is having none of it.
Nieminen pushing down on Zuckor's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nieminen prevents Zuckor from standing back up.
Nieminen trying to control the pace.
Let's hope that Nieminen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Zuckor wants to get back to his feet.
Danny Zuckor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nieminen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Zuckor punching from the bottom.
Nieminen stops Zuckor from getting back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Nieminen seems content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oupa Nieminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nieminen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 25:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oupa Nieminen!